{East African heads of associations have thrown their weight behind the candidature of incumbent Fifa President Sepp Blatter in his bid for re-election next year.}
Goal has exclusively established that the presidents of the Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania federations have written a joint letter to Blatter assuring him of their support. Rwanda and Burundi FA bosses have also signed the letter, saying that they would lobby to have the 78-year old secure a fifth term at the helm of Fifa House in Zurich.
“As a region, we assure you that we shall do everything including lobbying our African colleagues and beyond to ensure that you are re-elected again to continue the good work you have been doing for football,” reads the letter whose content was accessed by Goal.
“We take this opportunity to salute you Mr President for the great leadership you are continually offering to the World of football and further congratulate you for achievements Fifa has had in the period of your presidency.”
Sam Nyamweya (Kenya), Jamal Malinzi (Tanzania), Vincent Nzamwita (Rwanda), Moses Magogo (Uganda) and Reverien Ndikuriyo (Burundi) have cited several reasons for their decision, which was understood to have been reached after a secret meeting at a location in Rwanda over the weekend.
“The East African Community of Football Associations is forever gracious for your commitment to supporting our growth and will always remember your generosity to Confederation of East and Central Football Associations (Cecafa) in post-genocide era in Rwanda when in 1999, in the first year of your presidency, you extended to us a sum of one million dollars for preparations and hosting of Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.
“Monsieur Blatter, it is under your presidency that football has lived to its true identity as not just a sport but a pillar of social integration, a unifying factor in diversity and as a catalyst to peaceful coexistence in adversity.
“Indeed, Africa could never have had a chance of hosting the World Cup in 2010 if not for your legacy of rotating hosting of major tournaments across different confederations.
“The football legacy philosophy has borne initiatives such as Win in Africa for Africa and Football for Hope that have tremendously made growth of football faster and more relevant to social needs in all facets of the game. Your courage and boldness has seen you reach out to try and use football to foster unity of the people of Israel and Palestine.”
The declaration comes only weeks after Caf boss Issa Hayatou said he will back Blatter for the top job and just days after Nyamweya announced his support for the Swiss.
GOAL
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